Research Article

Exploring the Factors Affecting Speech and Language Pathologists’ Decision to Transition from Oral to Non-Oral Feeding in Patients with Dysphagia: A Qualitative Study

Volume: 13 Number: 3 September 21, 2023
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Exploring the Factors Affecting Speech and Language Pathologists’ Decision to Transition from Oral to Non-Oral Feeding in Patients with Dysphagia: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Aim: Speech and language pathologists (SLP) make decisions regarding the use of alternative feeding methods when oral feeding presents a vital risk for the dysphagia patients or when the patient’s food intake is deficient. This decision affects the lives of patients from physiological, psychological, and social aspects. The decision mechanisms of SLPs involve the medical status of the patient and evaluation results. This study aims to explore factors influencing the decision of SLPs to transition from oral to non-oral feeding. Material and Methods: Our study was conducted with a phenomenological design. Nine SLPs who had experience working with dysphagia patients participated in semi-structured interviews. Data were coded on the MAXQDA program using a thematic analysis approach. Results: Six main themes were constructed. In addition to the medical status of the patients, participants described giving importance to the reactions of patients and relatives, the moment of explaining their decision to the patient, interactions with other professionals, work environments, experiences and educational backgrounds, and the assessments and therapies patients underwent. Conclusion: The decision mechanisms of SLPs regarding feeding are not only affected by the physiological condition of the patient, but also by factors regarding patient relatives, the SLP’s personal approaches, communication with other professionals, the assessment process, and therapy implementation. Non-oral feeding decisions are also linked to their clinical experience and educational backgrounds. It is recommended that SLPs think multi-dimensionally about feeding transitions and give critical importance to their decision processes.

Keywords

Thanks

The authors would like to thank Aysegul Sari and Kubra Nur Simsek for assistance and Speech and Language Therapists who participated in our study. A part of this study was presented at the 11th European Congress of Speech and Language Therapy in May 2022, Salzburg, Austria.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Health Services and Systems (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

September 21, 2023

Submission Date

August 14, 2023

Acceptance Date

September 1, 2023

Published in Issue

Year 2023 Volume: 13 Number: 3

APA
Kavakcı, M., Tanrıverdi, M., & Uysal, H. T. (2023). Exploring the Factors Affecting Speech and Language Pathologists’ Decision to Transition from Oral to Non-Oral Feeding in Patients with Dysphagia: A Qualitative Study. Value in Health Sciences, 13(3), 431-440. https://doi.org/10.33631/sabd.1342814
AMA
1.Kavakcı M, Tanrıverdi M, Uysal HT. Exploring the Factors Affecting Speech and Language Pathologists’ Decision to Transition from Oral to Non-Oral Feeding in Patients with Dysphagia: A Qualitative Study. VHS. 2023;13(3):431-440. doi:10.33631/sabd.1342814
Chicago
Kavakcı, Mariam, Melike Tanrıverdi, and Halil Tayyip Uysal. 2023. “Exploring the Factors Affecting Speech and Language Pathologists’ Decision to Transition from Oral to Non-Oral Feeding in Patients With Dysphagia: A Qualitative Study”. Value in Health Sciences 13 (3): 431-40. https://doi.org/10.33631/sabd.1342814.
EndNote
Kavakcı M, Tanrıverdi M, Uysal HT (September 1, 2023) Exploring the Factors Affecting Speech and Language Pathologists’ Decision to Transition from Oral to Non-Oral Feeding in Patients with Dysphagia: A Qualitative Study. Value in Health Sciences 13 3 431–440.
IEEE
[1]M. Kavakcı, M. Tanrıverdi, and H. T. Uysal, “Exploring the Factors Affecting Speech and Language Pathologists’ Decision to Transition from Oral to Non-Oral Feeding in Patients with Dysphagia: A Qualitative Study”, VHS, vol. 13, no. 3, pp. 431–440, Sept. 2023, doi: 10.33631/sabd.1342814.
ISNAD
Kavakcı, Mariam - Tanrıverdi, Melike - Uysal, Halil Tayyip. “Exploring the Factors Affecting Speech and Language Pathologists’ Decision to Transition from Oral to Non-Oral Feeding in Patients With Dysphagia: A Qualitative Study”. Value in Health Sciences 13/3 (September 1, 2023): 431-440. https://doi.org/10.33631/sabd.1342814.
JAMA
1.Kavakcı M, Tanrıverdi M, Uysal HT. Exploring the Factors Affecting Speech and Language Pathologists’ Decision to Transition from Oral to Non-Oral Feeding in Patients with Dysphagia: A Qualitative Study. VHS. 2023;13:431–440.
MLA
Kavakcı, Mariam, et al. “Exploring the Factors Affecting Speech and Language Pathologists’ Decision to Transition from Oral to Non-Oral Feeding in Patients With Dysphagia: A Qualitative Study”. Value in Health Sciences, vol. 13, no. 3, Sept. 2023, pp. 431-40, doi:10.33631/sabd.1342814.
Vancouver
1.Mariam Kavakcı, Melike Tanrıverdi, Halil Tayyip Uysal. Exploring the Factors Affecting Speech and Language Pathologists’ Decision to Transition from Oral to Non-Oral Feeding in Patients with Dysphagia: A Qualitative Study. VHS. 2023 Sep. 1;13(3):431-40. doi:10.33631/sabd.1342814

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